Propelling apparatus.



S GOSSE.

' PRUPELLING APPARATUS. I APPLICATION man 0m. 31. 1911.

Patented July 23 ,191&

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

I'NVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORTEY PETERS cm, PNONLITMQ. WASHING mu. :1 c1

Pnomume APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- B 19]].

Patented July 23, 1918;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES ATTORTEY the r creati e reaso e ch f th b ad SELBY GOSSE, 0F CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PROPJELLING APPARATUS.

nataaie.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SnLBY Gossn, a British subject, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful limprovements in Propelling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a propelling apparatus more particularly adapted for marine propulsion wherein an endless belt is employed having thereon hingedly or pivotally mounted. blades or paddles that may be operated to drive a boat, ship, or other marine vessel ahead or astern. 1

One object of the invention is to provide a propelling apparatus that may be employed to drive a ship, boat, or other marine vessel, ahead or astern through the agency of an endless belt having blades or paddles thereon.

Another object is to provide suitable tripping devices to engage with the belt for varying the position of the blades orpaddles. A. further object is to provide suitable driving wheels for maintaining the belt in proper position and inclosing the belt and wheels in a closure so that a portion of the belt which is driving is exposed.

A still further object is to form an endless belt with links having pivotally mounted blades or paddles so that when the blades or paddles are inoperative they are adapted to lie in openings in the links, the alternate links having their blades so mounted as to swing in one direction while the other alternating blades are adapted to swing in the opposite direction. One purpose of the invention is to provide an endless propelling belt having pivotally mounted blades or paddles that are actuated 1301 their inoperative position by the interposition of suitable tripping devices and providing each of the blades or paddles with suitable anti-friction devices that will serve to maintain them in their operative position. Broadly stated the invention comprises a closure having therein suitable driving wheels over which is adapted to travel an endless belt having pivotally mounted blades or paddles in the links thereof, and providing means for moving certain ofth'e blades or paddles to an inoperative position, while permitting the others to be placed in Specification of Letters Patent.

' Application filed October 31, 1917.

Patente a as, rare.

Serial No. 199,524.

the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in sec- I tion,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the hull of a vessel with the driving mechanism in position. i

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of th links and its blade or paddle, and showing the blade in position in-the opening in the link, i

Fig. a is a perspective view showing the other type of link and blade, with the blade in its operative position, and

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of two links with their blades in an inoperative position.

In the preferred embodiment about to be described the hull of a vessel is generally indicated at A- In the construction shown in Fig. 2 two driving or propelling meehanisms are employed and in Fig. 1 a vertical section isshown through a portion of one of them. To suitably inclose the belt and its driving wheels a closuregenerally indicated at B may be employed. As shown the ends of this closure are rounded and suitable bearings are provided for the shafts 10 and 11. As shown the driving wheels 12 and 13 are preferably mounted in suitable recesses which generally conform to the periphery of the wheels. r

The wheels as shown are hexagonal and are provided with suitableteeth indicated at 14 which project outwardly from the periphery. The portion of the periphery adjacent the teeth may be formed as an additional side so that the periphery, when strictly speaking, is composed of 12 sides. These driving wheels 12 and 13 are spaced apart and secured upon the shafts 10 and 11 and in order to complete the closure B between them a section. having two curved sides is employed as indicated at C. The curved sides are adapted to lie adjacent the wheels and connecting two ends of the curves is'a as shown a'nd at a convenient point, intermediate of its length, it may be provided withsuitable bearings indicated at 21. These bearings are preferably spaced apart and positioned transversely of the plate 19. To coiiperate with the bearings 21, a pin 22 is employed which serves to effect a pivotal mounting for the paddle or blade 23.

The-paddle or blade 23, as shown, is circular in outline and has projecting therefromat an angle a lug 24 which has two spaced arms indicated at 25 and 26 extending therefrom. A notched portion is there by formed between the arms 25 and 26 and adjacent the ends of the arms they are provided with suitable means for engaging with the shaft of a roller or any other anti-fric- 12 1 0111 device indicated at 27 The plate 19 is preferably formed longitudinally with a suitable rectangular opening 28 that is adapted to connect with a circular opening 2.9. As shown in Fig. 3 theblade or paddle 23 is adapted to loosely lie within the, recess or opening 29. The recess 28 is adapted to permit the roller 27, carried by the lug .24, to pass therethrough.

fIn Fig. 4't-here is illustrated a different type of link and-this link consists of a flat plate 30. This plate 30 is provided with suitable slots 31 formed in the respective .Cor'ners so that the type of link shown in Fig. 3 may be connected to the link shown Fig. 4. One means of connecting these two links is indicated by the loops 32. Any usual or efficient typeof fastening may be employedthatwill give suiiicient flexibility tothe joint formed therebetween.

The plate 30;is provided with a circular Irece'ss 33 that. is displaced slightly in the longitudinaldirection. The recess 33 cominunicates'with a.jsubstantially square recess 34 that extends toward oneend of the plate 30. Adjacent the juncture of the recesses33' and 34 the plate 30 is provided with suitable bearings 35 that are adapted to receive a pin or other-"cylindrical member. vThe. pin-is adapted to pass through a suitable opening ofhole in the paddle or ceived within the recess 33. The'pin that isadapted' .itojbe engaged with the bearings 35 preferably passes tangentially. Extending from the blade 36 is a lug 37 which may be slotted at its outer end and be provided with holes adjacent the end to form bearings for a roller or other anttifriction device 38.- The blade 36 is provided with a rectangular slot 39 that extends from adjacent the pin holding the blade in the hearing 35 to a little more than one-half the dianieter of the blade.

The pin in the bearings 35 in cooperation with a blade 36 provides for a pivotal movement of the blade 36. In order to limit the movement of the blade 36 in one direction the blade 36 is provided with :1. lug 40 which has a hole therethrough. A pin 41 is adapted to pass through said hole and be received and held therein. The pin projects sufficiently beyond the edges of the blade 36 so as to contact with the plate 30 adjacent the recess The pin 41 will thus serve as a stop to prevent the blade 36 from passing through the recess.

The plate 30 is provided adj acent; one end with a rectangular slot 42 which is preferably positioned between two of the end slots 31 and adjacent the recess 34. The portion of the slot forming the outer wall as indicated at 43 may be rounded to serve as a.

bearing for the eye end 44 formed on the end of the limiting rod or arm 45. The outer end of the arm 45 is provided transversely with projections 46.

The arm 45 is thus rotatably mounted upon the'rounded portion 43 and its straight portion is adapted to pass through the slot 39 formed in the blade 36. The projections 46 are adapted to engage with one surface of the blade 36. The arm 45 may be slightly bent as indicated at 47, and is shown more particularly in Fig. 1. The arm 45 may also be provided with lugs 48 that are so positioned upon the sides of the arm that they will engage with the other surface of the blade 36. They will thus act as stop members to limit the movement of the blade in the direction opposite to that limit;- ed by the pin 41.

The projections 46 will serve to guide the arm 'in its movement through the slot 39. The paddles or blades 23 are preforably larger in diameter than the paddles or blades 36. As shown more particallai'ly in Fig. 5, the blade or paddle 36 is adapted to swing and to move in a direction opposite to that of the blade or paddle 23. The blades or paddles 36, when in their extended or operative positions are adapted to pro- :pelthe boat or other marine vessel. in the forward direction and the blades or paddles 23 are adapted to propel the boat astern or in the reverse direction.

The closure or easing B being adapted to receive the driving wheels 12 and 13 and the assembled belt, is provided with suitable .snmller groove indicated at 50 and 51. The

upper wall. of th s rectangular groove is also provided with a groove indicated at (2.

The grooves 50 and 51 are adapted to receive the ends of the pins 4.1 as they pass therethrough and serve to maintain their respective blades or paddles 36 in an inoperative position. Therollers or anti-friction devices 38am adaptedto pass within the groove 52 and the assembled belt is adapted to pass through thegroove 4:9. The portion of the closure" that may be termed the groove 52 hasacomplementary groove 53 that communicates with the groove 56L that is complementary to the groove 49.

The pins 41 are adapted to ride in the grooves 55 and 56 that are complementary to the grooves 50 and 51. .Thus the belt will travel through grooves that are formed especially to accommodate the assembled belt D. l

l The section C of the closure isprovided with the grooves 53, 54L, and56. At suitable points adjacent the lower grooved ends of this lower section G there are notched portions which may be generally indicated at 57 and 58. The notched-portion 57 serves to accommodate a lever 59 which has a pivotal mounting at 60; The outer end of the lever 59 may be provided with a suitable roller orother anti-friction devices 61that is adapted to contact; with certain elements of the belt at predetern'iined times. To. operate the lever59 it is provided adj acentthe pivotal connection 60 with an operating handle 62. The handle 62 preferably projects outside of the closure The connec tion 60 may be'one that includes a shaft of such lengthftl'iall theroller 61 will be positioned .to engage with the belt and at the same ti 'ne permit the operating handle 62 to be placed at a convenient point-outside of the closure.

The shouldered or notched portion 58 is adapted to receive, a lever63 which may have at its outer'end a roller or other antifriction device 64. The lever 63 is adapted to have a pivotal. n'iounting as indicated 65. This mounting may include a shaft that is adapted to be connected with an eper ating handle 66 positioned exteriorly of the closure B in a manner similar to that for the operating handle 62.

As shown in Fig. 1 the closure B is provided at its lower right hand semicircular end, andupon the interior diameter with a shouldered portion 67. This shouldered portion 67 provides a recess for receiving the lever 68, which lever is provided. at its outer end with a roller or other anti-f1 10- tion device 69. The lever 68 pivotally mounted as indicated at 70. The pivotal mounting 70 may include a shaft that extends to the outside of the closure and may have attached thereto an operating lever 7i.

Spaced from the line of travel of the blade or paddle 23 is a curved member 72 that serves as a guide. This curved member 72 is preferably mounted upon a shaft 73 which shaft is carried in a pedestal to other bearings supported at 74:. The end of the shaft 73 is preferably connected insome suitable manner with a bell. crank lever 75 as shown. The other end of thelever is connected with a push rod 7 6 that isadapt- 'ed to pass through a suitable stufling box 77 which as shown is connected with the boat A. The upper end of the rod 76 is providod with a head 7 8. A downward movement may be imparted to the rod 76 by means of the head 78 which in turn will be communicated to the bell cranklever 75 serving to move the shaft 7 3 and therefrom the curved guide member 72 into the path of travel of. the blades or paddles To more effectively produce this the bell crank lever may be pivotally mounted as indicated at 9.

In the bottom portion of the casing B where the groove 54; is adapted to contact with the water there is positioned at a conformed just belowthe groove 55, andin the wall 86.

a When the belt isdriven so that its lower portion moves in the direction as indicated by the arrow the operating lever 82 is moved.

so that the tongue moves up and forms a guide groove. The pins 41 in passing strike the angular end of the tongue, and are deflected downward which throws the blades 01' paddles 36 into the position indicated in Figs. 1 and l The antifriction. dev1ces"38 will then be caused to travel in the groove 53. The blade 36 in coming to thlsnght angle position for drlving purposes will cause the arm 45 to move upward through the slot89 until the lugs-{l0 engage lever 59 will bring its roller 61 into the.

path of travel of the roller lVhcn the roller 38 strikes the, roller 61 it will throw the blade 36 upward into its respective recess at which time the arm 45 will move to the closed position. The blade when being folded is adapted to have its pin passed through the guide slot indicated at 87. This guide slot may be so arranged that it may be closed entirely by means of the movable tongue 88 which may be carried for such movement in any suitable manner. In order to-move this tongue 88 it has connected to it a bell crank lever 89 that may be pivotally mounted to the closure as indicated at 90. The other end of the bell crank lever 89 may have connected to it a push rod 91 having a handled end 92. As shown in Fig. lthe guide slot 87 is angularly cut so that the two presenting ends of the closure and the tongue 87 are wedgeshape. v

When it is desired to reverse the direction of propulsion the shafts 10 and 11 are ro tated in .the opposite direction causing .the wheels Y12 and 13 and the belt D to move in the reverse direction. As the blades 36 carried in the links 30 are not adapted to propel in the opposite direction the links 19 are brought into play. In order that the blades or paddles 23 may be properly positioned the operating handle 71 is moved which throws the lever68 and its roller 69 so that the roller will engage with the roller 27 The roller 27 will then be thrown upward to engage with the groove 53 and will exert pressure in that direction.

This will tend to maintain the blade 23 at substantially right angles to the belt. The rod 82 is moved downward soas to 7 close the guide slot by. means of the tongue a with the rollers 27. .The position that the W to force the blade 23 upward into its folded lever 63 and its roller will assume is indicated by the dotted lines. The striking of the roller 27 against the roller 64: will tend position.

If .during the operation certain of the blades or paddles 23 are projecting down Ward Wheat is e i e t tr v h bea or vessel in the opposite direction the push rod 76is operated to bring the curved guide member into play so that it will force the blades 23 to lie in their inoperative or folded position.

What Iclaim is 2-- 1. An endless belt which comprises a plurality of connected links, each link having pivotally mounted thereon a blade, said links being provided with openings that are adapted to receive the blades when in their inoperative positions, and means to olace alternate blades in a driving position anc the remaining blades in their inoperative positions.

2. A propelling apparatus which coinprises a closure, a belt formed of connected links, a plurality of driving and spacing wheels for the belt, the alternate links being provided with blades adapted to be received within the links, the other links being provided with blades that are adapted to be received within the links, certain of the links having their blades extended when the belt is moved in one direction while the other blades are carried within their respective links, means for causing alternate blades to be extended for pro elling in one direction, means for causing t e blades to be received within their respective links, means for moving the other blades to their extending position for propelling in the opposite direction, and means for causing said latter blades to be received within their respective links.

3; A propelling apparatus which comprises a housing, a plurality of driving and spacing wheels mounted thereon, an endless belt formed of links provided with pivotally mounted blades and having anti-friction means servin to maintain the proper angularity of the lades, said housing being provided with grooves, and the walls of one of said grooves being provided with movable members forming adjustable closures for openings formed in one wall thereof to cooperate with the blades of the belt, in causing the blades to change from their operative and inoperative positions.

4:. An endless belt, which comprises a plurality of plates connected together and serving as links, each of said plates being provided with openings and spaced bosses adjacent the openings, a blade pivotally mounted in the bosses and approximately closing the opening in the plate, and an arm extending angularly from the blade at the pivot and provided at its outer end with a roller.

5. An endless belt, which comprises a plurality of plates connected together and servlng as links, one of said plates having an opening therein and bosses adjacent the opening, a blade to approximately fill the opening and pivotally mounted on the plate and in the bosses,said blade being provided w th a closed slot and transversely w th e boss, a pin projecting from the ends of the boss and beyond the sides of the plate, a rotatable arm secured at one end of each one of the plates and having its other end adapted to cooperate with and ride in the plate slot and also serving as a brace, an arm extending from the blade and oppositely thereto, and a roller carried by the outer end of said latter arm.

6. A propelling apparatus, which comprises-a belt formed of connected plates constituting links, means for spacing and driving the belt, blades pivotally mounted on the plates and adapted to lie in openings formed in the plates, manually operated trip means for causing certain and alternate blades to be moved to their operative driving and inoperative positions, said means including pivotally mounted levers adapted to engage with the blades, and also including movable tongues.

7. A propelling apparatus, which oomprises a belt formed on": connected plates having openings therein and constituting links, pivotally mounted blades carried by the plates, means for operating said belt, a closure for the apparatus, said closure having its upper portion formed with longitudinal grooves for inelosing the belt and causing it to travel therethrough With the several blades lying in their respective openings.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SELBY GUSSE,

Gopies or this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D, G. 

